🌱 Power Outages + Flash Freeze Concern & Downed Tree In Catonsville

Good morning, Catonsville! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the holiday season, so you may not see as many newsletters in your inbox between now and the New Year. We will resume our normal schedule during the first week of January. For now, here’s what you need to know about what’s happening around town.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Frigid; breezy in the morning. High: 19 Low: 15.
• Sunday: Sunny, breezy and quite cold. High: 26 Low: 14.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine, but cold. High: 32 Low: 21.

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Here are the top three stories today in Catonsville:

1. Yesterday afternoon, Dec. 23, more than 60,000 BGE customers were without power in central Maryland, and the outage numbers appeared to be growing. Click here to see the updated BGE outage map. BGE said severe winds have knocked down trees and tree limbs, which damaged electric distribution equipment throughout BGE's service area. The roof of the Crossroads Square Shopping Center in nearby Westminster partly collapsed on top of a parked vehicle. The car was unoccupied, and no one was injured. (WMAR 2 News)
2. There is concern about flash freezing during the upcoming holiday weekend when the roads could freeze due to the cold. Yesterday, Dec. 23, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration crews were making sure roads had enough salt to prevent ice from forming. The roads were not pre-treated before due to all the rain recently, but the crews will continue to patrol for ice patches. Downed trees are also a hazard due to the strong winds, a downed tree blocked some of the roads by the I-195 on-ramp in Catonsville on Dec. 23. (CBS News)
3. Catonsville celebrated the 20th anniversary of its designation as "Music City Maryland," on Dec. 22, at Bill's Music House. View pictures from the event by clicking the link. (Subscription: Baltimore Sun)

This weekend in Catonsville:

Saturday, December 24

• Traditional Bachata Classes At Dance & Artistic Expressions Studio (10:45 AM)

Sunday, December 25

• Al-Anon Family Group At Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church (8:00 PM)

Monday, December 26

• Free Thank You Card Craft At sweetFrog Catonsville (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Dec. 22, the Baltimore County Fire Department was called to Middle River Road and Pawnee Road for a two-vehicle accident. One civilian and a First Responder were sent to the hospital with serious injuries. The Baltimore County Police Department is investigating the cause. (Baltimore County Fire Department via Twitter)
• Don't miss the "2nd Annual EPIK Decorated House Contest" in Catonsville! Tour the homes on the map and then vote here for your favorite by Dec. 31. One local person who submits a vote will be the winner of a $50 gift card to a local restaurant. (Catonsville via Facebook)
  The contest ends on December 31st, and winners will all be announced on Jan 2nd.
• Looking for something to do after the holidays? Check out the upcoming events at the Catonsville Branch Library, including Celebration of Culture: An "Anti-Racism Story Time," "Teen Anime Club," and "Books, Coffee, and Conversation." (BCPL)

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Events:

• Special Services on Dec 18, 25 & 31, 2022 (December 25)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 27)
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You're all caught up for today. Happy holidays!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!